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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

For the last week or so I have been researching PhD programs. I haven't found any programs that I am REALLY interested in. Simply because it's not the right time to sell our house, and because Shawn doesn't really want to move (and neither do I frankly). There is little in our area as far as advanced degrees, but I think I came across one that I may be fairly interested in. It's an EdD program.....and it's only about 45 minutes away from our house. That's right folks, it's at UC Davis. Here's the rationale - I don't wanna move - I don't wanna be without my husband - I don't wanna sell my house just yet - I like the area where I live - and I DO NOT IN ANY WAY want to have to research and write papers for the rest of my life. In addition to that, my career goals have shifted a bit. I am amazing at administrative work (when I am motivated) - and I am really good at teaching (or so I have been told about a million times). I have been interested in the "Dean" positions at Universities/College's for quite some time. So, I think the EdD program fits my ultimate career goals (that is, if a position as Dean opens up and there aren't a thousand people applying). And here's the best part, being a Dean requires an advanced degree, a number of years of teaching at the college level (which I am doing), and lots of administrative work experience. Ummmm, hello - perfect career knocking here - can I come in? No, that's not the best part, this is - being a dean starts at over 100k per year. So, over the next 20 years, this is what I could be working towards. But then again, these are my plans, not God's. We will see what the future holds, but this seems like something good to pursue......for now. I have an email out to UC Davis, I will keep y'all posted on what they say. :)

Sunday, January 27, 2008

I am thinking about cutting my hair again. I love it short, but I also miss my mid-length (what I consider long) hair (just past my shoulders). What should I do? When I have my hair short, it's easy to deal with but I can't put it up in a ponytail very easily and there are very few styles I can do. When it's long, I can do things with it like make it curly, leave it straight, put it half up in a twist kinda thing. I am thinking I want it long again, but I can't decide. Maybe long with layers? I don't know. I am [ this ] close to going to a salon and getting it styled. But I really LOVE longish hair - that is, unless it's long straight hair - and in that case, few people can pull it off in my personal opinion. I know a few people who can absolutely pull it off, but not many at all. I think people look much better with mid-length or longish hair with some kind of style and shape to it. I have had long shapeless hair for years (in the past), and looking back on pictures I think to myself, "what was I thinking". Well, to answer my own question, I was thinking I hated going to the salon and didn't want to think about it at all - so I let it grow. So there lies the question - what should I do with it? Remember, summers are hot where we are, and I generally want my hair off my neck - but winters are really cold and I generally want longish hair during the winter. I don't know what to do. That's it. The most exciting thing going on in my life right now is the hair decision. Gosh, my life is pathetic.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

While Shawn and I were in the hot tub last night we were talking about how I really desire to go back to school. Right after I finished my Master's Degree (I use caps because a Master of Arts Degree was difficult to obtain and I think I deserve some props for spending almost three more years doing research, writing papers and studying my butt off - - - - contrary to the belief of some people, it was a hard few years, one of the most challenging things I have ever done. And to top it all off, I received a Masters Degree in Communication Studies, a major some would consider to be easy. Not so! The BA degree was fairly easy as almost all BA's are (contrary to popular belief) - - - - you learn something, regurgitate it, write a paper, get an A - - - and the cycle goes on and on. But the there was something fairly difficult about getting a Masters Degree. Lots of time researching, lots of time thinking, lots of time writing 30 page papers (and one paper over 100), and for me, lots of time working an everyday job 40 hours a week, then at the end, teaching at a University, all at the same time. Believe it or not, this experience and even my major has been discounted by some in my life. And to go even further, it has been said that I am 'not an actual professor', rather I just 'teach' at a college. Let me break it down for you - I am 'actually a professor'. Call my voicemail at one of the college's I work for and see what the school has left as the outgoing message. That's right, my title is Professor of Communication Studies.

Getting back to my point. Shawn and I were talking last night about me going back to school. Since we moved up here I have been teaching classes here and there, which has been exciting, as being a college instructor always is. But I feel like my brain needs some stimulation. I was thinking about a second Master's Degree - a cop out really. After having a Master's Degree, getting another one is like having a house and buying a vacation home. Nothing exciting, just more research studies, more papers, more conferences presenting those papers, more time at the library, oh yeah, and did I mention more papers? I wrote so many 20 to 30 page papers in graduate school that I can barely see straight anymore. But there's something more I desire. Could it be? No! Can't be! But oh yes, it is......I am seriously considering a PhD. I thought about it right out of grad school, but decided it wasn't the time. I revisit this idea about once a year, but for some reason it's kinda sticking now. I would have to be away from Shawn for months at a time which would almost kill me, but I am thinking it would be worth it in the end. I am still up in the air, but getting closer to a decision. I have emailed a couple of schools to find out what their programs consist of.

Oh yeah - and the best part - there are a few people in my life that I would require to call me Dr.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

I just read on a local news webpage that extraterrestrials have made contact with earth. You can read about it here: Has E.T. made a call?

I think this is article is particularly interesting because it is written from the perspective that there really is other life out there, not just us humans. I do hope though, that in my lifetime, lifeforms on other planets will be discovered. How exciting would that be. Now, I am not saying that I am one of those, "I done seen it with my own two eyes" type of people, but I do hold hope that we are not the only ones alive in the universe. In fact, I think that we would be stupid to hold the opinion that we are alone. We live on a planet, why couldn't there be, in the vastness of the universe, more planets like this one with intelligent life? And for all of those folks who have "done seen it with their own two eyes" - keep on keepin' on - because in 50 years, the rest of the world may just come back to you and apologize because of how much we made fun of your 'alien sighting'.

E.T. (from earth) signing off!

NOTE: They changed the news artcile after posting it a few days ago. Now the original article was pulled, and they have replaced it with a different artcile. Apparently the journalist who wrote the original story did not do a good job at investigative reporting. Yikes!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

The cream colored areas are where I will be putting commentary......basically a play by play of how our trip went (our trip to Disneyland a couple weeks ago). I have no idea what I will be writing, and I am sure it's gonna be dry - simply because I am pretty bad at storytelling. I am going to try to make it sound fun, but for this page, how fun can "we got ready and started driving" sound? I will need to put my creative abilities to work when I am ready to write. Any ideas?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Me: Where did that sponge in the kitchen sink come from?Husband: The garbageMe: Please don't dig out sponges from the garbage.Husband: I thought you accidentally threw it away.Me: If a sponge ends up in the garbage, please just get a new one from under the sink. We have 20 of them just sitting there.